Reds Youth take victory against Melbourne

A determined Reds Youth Team has registered its second home victory for the season thanks to a gutsy come from behind 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory Youth.

A determined Reds Youth Team has registered its second home victory for the season thanks to a gutsy come from behind 2-1 win over Melbourne Victory Youth at Thebarton Oval on Sunday afternoon in a high quality contest.

The game started off evenly with both teams enjoying their share of possession before it took until the 36th minute for the first real chance to come as the visitors hit the Reds on a counter attack and Francesco Stella slotted home the opening goal of the match.

The goal saw the match open up with the Reds having a good ten minute period before half time, Melbourne keeper Lawrence Thomas forced to make a number of fine saves to keep the home side out. But on the stroke of half time the Reds were on level terms when a fine run from Ryan Kitto in behind the Victory defense saw the midfielder make it 1-1 at the break.

The winner came in the 57th minute when a well taken Cameron Watson corner found Anthony Costa, the young forward sending his header into the top right hand corner of the net.

For the remaining half an hour, the young Reds were forced to work hard defensively as Melbourne searched for an equalizer, keeper John Hall almost gifting Andrew Nabbout the chance with a wayward pass but the Victory striker could not capitalise.

The Reds had claims for a penalty waved away late on when Jordan O-Doherty appeared to have his shirt tugged when he was about to pull the trigger, but in the end it did not matter as the Reds claimed a confidence building 2-1 victory.

Coach Michael Valkanis was extremely proud of his players.

“I was very impressed with the way we controlled the game for 70 minutes,” Valkanis said.

“The way we kept to the style that we have been working on for a period of time was very pleasing which resulted in numerous shots on goal.

“It was very good to record a win and put in a high standard performance against one of the bench marks of the National Youth League and last year-s premiers.”